@mastermind2, can you give specifics at to the dangers? I have heard of dangers relating to esoteric physical exercises such as pranayama, etc., but not regarding meditation. I have been able to spend some time here and there with meditators coming from "living traditions", but I have also picked up a lot of valuable instruction from books as well. I think that meditating is such a boon and help for so many people, that I would not want to discourage them from learning online or via books...

...if that is all they had access to, i.e., they did not live near any good instructors.

@mastermind2, you say "Once you wish for something that you didn't earn by working hard, you are on very very much danger". Can you tell me why this is? There are many things that can be wished or prayed for, that can not be had by hard work. Health, good fortune, serendipity, etc.. Why shouldn't we wish for this? What is the danger?

the whole paradox to this is that if LOA is really true, which you think it is true, then even if we stay out of it it will still eventually affect us in some way, will it not?

@mastermind2, thanks very much for your thoughtful response. I agree that a great teacher is of utmost value. Regarding the use of Law of Attraction, and wish fulfillment, it seems that the Universe operates this way all the time. So we are all using it whether we wish to or not. I think what is taught here is to allow people to use it consciously, so that they are not unconsciously manifesting negative conditions in our lives. Famous spiritual people such as Jesus Christ spoke about these...

...principles and even instructed humankind to use them. In Buddhism, we have ancient sources such as the Lankavatara Sutra (containing the Buddha's words and teachings) as well as the Stanzas on Vibration which teach these same principles and "operating system" of the Universe. I believe that if it's good enough for Jesus and Buddha, it's good enough for me. But I also understand that many people greatly value the notion of "hard work" as a virtue in of itself...

I enjoy hard work very much, when it pertains to something that I'm passionate about and feel inspired by. Otherwise, I don't enjoy it so much. I found that out the hard way after many years of pursuing the "strenuous life" advocated by people such as Teddy Roosevelt and Tony Robbins. So I've been on both sides of the coin. The choice for me is clear. I'm not familiar about the "theft from the temple" story that you mention, although I'm guessing it relates to Masonic or Rosicrucian history...

As to your question, "Do you think God operates this way? giving one man powers and letting others suffer?" I wouldn't presume to know how the Creator operates, however, it's not my desire to let others suffer. In fact, I would like to use the Law of Attraction and "wishing" to help others as much as possible.

Thanks for your lengthy response, by the way...it has been interesting exchanging views with you.

@mastermind2 about meditation. follow this link: http://www.inwardquest.com/questions/64720/do-past-events-really-cause-a-disruption-in-the-bodys-energy-system read my answer. it can help you if you are ready.

@White tiger Thank you but I really don't follow where you want me to go?

I heard of people that had a kundalini awakening and the dark night of the soul after having regular sex. So shouldn't we have sex ever? lol. or at least not without an instructor watching you right?:D

@mastermind2 click on the link and go read the answer that is what i have put and that you can read if you want. but if you have read that and do not know.then i would say that,you that say that you have experience in meditation, are missing alot of experience. i do not blame you or make a judgement,i am only telling you the truth. you can go where you want to go,do not see me as someone that is pushing you in anny direction. then you wont need to not follow.

@mastermind2 - Thanks...if that is the case, then what was the theft from the temple? I am asking out of sheer curiosity. Thanks again.

@mastermind2 the way i have done it is meditating with open eyes being aware focusing and concentrating on a spot in front of me that is not there. that is how one get to Ekagra. yes i have notice about breathing in the first day or 2 but where your heart is also is your mind. and focusing on breathing becomes a distraction. since breathing is a natural process. and yes a teacher or a master is a person that have experience the way the truth and the life.

@mastermind2 but many disciple will not understand this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7nUTJehvfI

@mastermind2 Yes Buddha and Jesus were examples of great teachers. But just like you say LOA will harm people, there are also people out there who claim that following Buddha and Jesus will hurt you too. Who should we believe then? That's just all I'm saying

Who should we believe? Good question.... above all, IMO, trust yourself.

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and own common sense." -Buddha

Thanks mastermind, I appreciate the concern, but I'm ok...;) One thing I've learned is that "materials" become less and less as you go farther. So for me this doesn't equal materialism, even though many pursue that when they first "discover" it.

I feel your saying materials are evil... aren't they just unimportant? Sure, people have done terrible things for them- but it stems from their own insecurity and fear.

I have learned strength and trust- and a beautiful perception of life.

It has been of great value to me... learning how to accept things and pick myself up in any situation, without depending on someone or something. Learning to feel love and joy for others even when I initially feel wronged.

Best of all, the peace I have with everyone and everything. I'm not afraid to die or be alone. I'm not afraid of pain. I'm not afraid of darkness or deception.

That's what I want to share- the peace, the strength, the love. That's what it's been for me. :)

@LapisLazuli "Who should we believe" just like "who am I" or "what's the meaning of life" are very dangerous questions. Why? Let me show you..."A suggestive question is one that implies that a certain answer should be given in response, or falsely presents a presupposition in the question as accepted fact."

That questions implies there is someone to be believed. Just like "who am I ?" assumes there is an something you should identify yourself with.

If nature of problems should be uncovered

then Questions are problem. Even what Buddha said, about believing things with your common sense and reason. What is common sense and reason, but your own beliefs anyway.

Then in other words Buddha said you will always believe what you have already believed anyway. Because you can only believe what you already agreed to believe within yourself.

Believing something new then is just a matter of alternating your current beliefs. One would have to have no beliefs to get away from this game.

And you can perhaps see the issue that's created when someone asks "what is right". Assuming there is something wrong.

"The question implies there is someone to be believed." Very true. Every question implies something.

I just don't agree with "dangerous".If you could explain why you feel it's dangerous :)

Focus is controlled through questions, what we focus on provides us with sense of our reality. It is questions that predetermine the limitations of answers and thus the views we're going to have or our perception. Then based on this limited perception we operate. In other words, that's how we operate. Quite exploitable I think.

No wonder that in meditative state there are no questions to be answered.

@mastermind2 I know your not "against" anything.. neither am I. It's not that I don't care, or believe I am perfect or a demi-god, or that I don't encounter pain or suffering.Are any beliefs important? (Lol Cal ;) It's just learning to be at peace and let go of fear... for me (to clarify)I'm focusing on the "emotional" aspect. I have learned not to depend on the outside in regards to how I feel- powerful for me and it has given me a lot of peace.

I just like to share and discuss~ not trying to change beliefs, but introduce my own perspective... like you. :) You have a lot of depth.

@mastermind2 what if i told you there's nothing beautiful about life? And there are no obligations or responsibilities you have towards anything?

That beautifully removes beliefs on which you are standing looking at your two posts.

Also a normal happy man never want to enter spiritual life, because he's entangled in net of attachments which won't let him out. And maybe those who felt left aside from society were lucky ones. Society is one damn siren.

@mastermind2 what is a normal happy man? is it a man that enjoy only this physical world that will pass away? or a man that enjoy this physical world that will pass away and know that there is something more after ward? @calonlan you cannot say that there is nothing beautifull about life.and you cannot say that there is no obligation or responsability. if there is nothing beautifull about life and you would believe that 100%, you would make the choice to leave and not return.

@calonlan i agree with you on the last part that happy man that bind thim self to things of the world that will pass away, will eventualy suffer in their heart and mind. the flesh is flesh and the spirit is spirit. be passer-by.

@white tiger, how is that I cannot say that? And why do you assume I would stay only if it was beautiful. Maybe I like ugly so I stay? And where does this responsibility come from? And what responsibility it is you have in mind? And what if exactly this type of thinking "looking for something beautiful all the time" is what keeps you from seeing what is life really like.

I'm open to dispel anything, I don't fear losing beliefs. So bring it on ;)

@calonlan you are responsible of your choice and the consequence they have. if you cast a stone at someone. he will cast it back at you. why do you do what you hate? they will do the same. would you like that? do you know many people that do not do the same?(dito) and that are in truth? if you are in truth you will know how things relate to each other with out having to take a side. yet you will do what is right for you and other. in truth and understanding you will make your choice.

@calonlan you will not make your choice from a heart of stone,in judgement,conflict,inequity,hate. here is another example if you are seing only from outside:when you shit do you go to the bathroom? do you have the obligation and responsibility to keep your self clean? or do you shit in your pant.and do not take the obligation and responsibility? if you do not assume obligation and responsibility then someone needs to do it for you because of the lack that you have. do i tell you the truth?

@calonlan do you see only the bad and ugly in this world? or do you also see the beautifull? do you see how they relate to each other? or do you see only the ugly? every one have something beautifull in them. did you bother to take obligation and responsibility to look for it? or did you assume that they are ugly?

@white tiger, ok let's assume I have responsibility... but who am I? I don't know who am I because I can't make any specific attachment to anything to gain that sense of identity.

Then you see the concept of I is just an illusion. I don't exist. There is artificial I in form of ego, but beyond that is no I. So who has that responsibility?

If I cast a stone, I'm not the hand that threw it, I'm not the body, not the mind nor the idea of throwing the stone, I'm not the judgement behind it.

@white tiger, it's a strange feeling to feel like no-one and nothing.

Especially because that it's a concept of mind but it provides a great insight into all that is. It's a paradox created by an idea that I'm nothing that makes you look at everything in a light you can't see when you are defining things or self as something.

And I found out long ago that in paradox you can find the truth of duality it brings to light.

@calonlan if you do not know who you are,open your eyes and look inside of you. and you will say i am who i am and i am that i am. you exist the proff is that we are communicating together right now. why are you denying your self? if you cast the stone you are the heart and mind under judgement that have cast it. you are the body that have cast it. when you drive a car are you the one deciding where the car will go? from point a to point b?

@calonlan well the body is the same as the car. the only difference is that you have the same body for this life in this now. and you will not change car untill your car is destroyed or that you can open the car and get out,to go where ever you wish. like the wind. but if you do not see inside of the car who you are look right in the middle in the mirroir and you should see your self,if there is enuff light.

@mastermind2 i came here to experience this world my choice was made in the beguinning,and i have made the same choice again the proof is that i am speaking to you. i do not need to seek escape from this world.i know where is the door. and how to open it. but my choice is made to experience and enjoy.

@mastermind2 Great quote - I agree 100% with that

@mastermind2, well you can't, because existence is sadness.

@mastermind2 If you can simply concentrate your mind’s Inner Light and behold its outer illumination, you’ll dispel the three poisons and drive away the six thieves once and for all. And without effort gain possession of an infinite number of virtues, perfections, and doors to the truth, Seeing through the mundane and witnessing the sublime is less than an eye-blink away, Realization is now. Why worry about gray hair?

@mastermind2 But the true door is hidden and can’t be revealed. I have only touched upon beholding the mind. http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/C%20-%20Zen/Ancestors/The%20Zen%20Teachings%20of%20Bodhidharma/The%20Zen%20Teachings%20of%20Bodhidharma/THE%20ZEN%20TEACHINGS%20OF%20BODHIDHARMA.htm

@mastermind2 It would be really interesting to hear what exactly these things we should be fearful of .... what exactly happens if you meditate without a teacher. Are you talking about psychic attack, astral planing, not being able to get back into your body, kundalini awakening ... ? I'm keen to hear more about these spiritual secrets you hint at.

I want to know what @stingray has to say about all this!

@mastermind2 I can't quite work out why you have removed this. I found it quite an interesting dialogue.

@Catherine I'm leaving here Cathrine. Many here seems to believe that I came here is to scare people. They say I'm wasting their time...

@mastermind2 - I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure most people here are just fine with you. And if not, who cares? As a great zen master once said, "the thoughts we are thinking right now won't be here in a thousand years."

@lozenge123 Wonderful quote Lozenge! Thank you :)